Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 11:22:25

Title: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 11:22:25
 Hi all.

I've bought a new composite kitchen sink and a monobloc tap. I wanted to have a go installing it myself, the problem is that the sink doesn't have a hole for the tap.

I've have a drill bit set but non of the drill bits are any good for this job due to being the wrong size and type.

Does anyone know what I should do?

I don't want to ruin the sink.

Thanks very much. :y

Kate
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: tunnie on 12 May 2014, 11:27:39
Trip to Screwfix and the right tools?

Assuming the sink is the same size and a shape, so not cutting of the work top?

I'd look at the tools you need and get those, often get more use out of them and they pay for themselves like car tools  :y :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 11:32:41
The new sink is a bit bigger but I've got a jigsaw.

Is there a special drill bit for composite sinks?
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: tunnie on 12 May 2014, 11:40:20
I've never cut through one, but surely just one right diameter should be enough?

When cutting plastic bumper for my LPG filter I just looked for the right size.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Andy B on 12 May 2014, 11:44:31
Hi all.

I've bought a new composite kitchen sink and a monobloc tap. I wanted to have a go installing it myself, the problem is that the sink doesn't have a hole for the tap.

I've have a drill bit set but non of the drill bits are any good for this job due to being the wrong size and type.

Does anyone know what I should do?

I don't want to ruin the sink.

Thanks very much. :y

Kate

I'd imagine you need to use a hole saw. They come in all kinds of sizes http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1311.R4.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xstarret&_nkw=starrett+holesaw&_sacat=0&_from=R40
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 May 2014, 11:58:41
My advice would always be dont buy a composite sink but, as you have one then you need a hole saw of the correct diameter.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: martin42 on 12 May 2014, 12:04:11
Need a hole saw for sink,there should be a moulding mark on the underside,pilot drill the center firsts then use hole cutter,also when cutting hole for sink,place masking tape around the hole and mark around sink if you dont have a template with it and cut 10mm inside the line,masking tape also protects the worktop when using jigsaw.if you need any more advice pm me  :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Bigron on 12 May 2014, 12:04:35
Andy beat me to it in recommending a hole saw, Kate, but sometimes Lidl/Aldi do boxed sets of hole saws for a very reasonable price; you just need for them to be offering them in their "specials" when you actually want them.

Ron.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 12:58:07
Thanks for all the advice. :y

I'm going to go to Screwfix to get a holesaw. I've never used one before. So I need to drill a pilot hole first for this? Would a wood drill bit do for that?
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 May 2014, 12:59:52
Thanks for all the advice. :y

I'm going to go to Screwfix to get a holesaw. I've never used one before. So I need to drill a pilot hole first for this? Would a wood drill bit do for that?

The holesaw will normally have a drill bit in the centre of the mandrel that holds the cutter, so you can use that. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: tunnie on 12 May 2014, 13:03:39
This is what they usually look like Kate, the drill bit is included and screws into the holesaw  :y

(http://www.toolcobber.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Bi-Metal-Hole-Saw.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Andy B on 12 May 2014, 13:24:06
Thanks for all the advice. :y

I'm going to go to Screwfix to get a holesaw. I've never used one before. So I need to drill a pilot hole first for this? Would a wood drill bit do for that?

Have a practice on a piece of wood first then. Drill nice & slowly and let the saw do the work, you don't need to lean on it. I would drill through from the back/underside first to get the position right, saw half way though, & then finish off from the other side so that it doesn't splinter on the visible surface.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Phil on 12 May 2014, 13:31:38
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 17:51:05
Thanks. :y

I got one from Screwfix, the guy there was really helpful and found the two parts for me.

This is the sink;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380892473626?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380892473626?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 17:51:47
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit

I'm not sure about that. :-\
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Gaffers on 12 May 2014, 18:50:19
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit

I'm not sure about that. :-\

Stone effect, so no worries.  A normal holesaw will do :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 20:36:45
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit



I'm not sure about that. :-\

Stone effect, so no worries.  A normal holesaw will do :y


Thanks Matt.

I'm going to install it tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have any problems.

By the way, do compression fittings need anything extra to stop them leaking? I didn't think they did?
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Entwood on 12 May 2014, 20:50:49
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit



I'm not sure about that. :-\

Stone effect, so no worries.  A normal holesaw will do :y


Thanks Matt.

I'm going to install it tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have any problems.

By the way, do compression fittings need anything extra to stop them leaking? I didn't think they did?

It doesn't do any harm to wrap a little PTFE tape around, but a good clean olive on a new piece of pipe should not leak..  :y :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 12 May 2014, 21:37:21
Resin or stone composite?

Assuming resin

Forstner bit or flat bit

If its stone then it will need a carbide tipped drill bit



I'm not sure about that. :-\

Stone effect, so no worries.  A normal holesaw will do :y


Thanks Matt.

I'm going to install it tomorrow. Hopefully I won't have any problems.

By the way, do compression fittings need anything extra to stop them leaking? I didn't think they did?

It doesn't do any harm to wrap a little PTFE tape around, but a good clean olive on a new piece of pipe should not leak..  :y :y

Would plumbers putty do?
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: martin42 on 12 May 2014, 21:48:25
You need to use boss white,available from d.i.y places,dont use plumbers mate,
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Bigron on 12 May 2014, 22:43:41
Agreed, I would use Boss White, mainly because I always seem to get PTFE tape everywhere except in the threads it is meant to go in.
Is that just me?

Ron.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: dbug on 12 May 2014, 23:52:40
My mates a plumber - he just wipes a dab of clear silicon sealer round the threads/olive and tightens as normal :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 00:07:35
What is Boss White? :-[
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: dbug on 13 May 2014, 00:11:47
What is Boss White? :-[

Its an "old fashioned" sealer/jointing compound, which sets and hardens with time.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Vamps on 13 May 2014, 00:26:15
What is Boss White? :-[

A Man....................... ;) ;)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Phil on 13 May 2014, 08:49:56
Compression fittings DO NOT need anything around them, thats the point of using compression!

The only reason people do put 'extra' sealing around them is because they are poor tradesperson. If a professional plumber came in my house and started globbing gear around compression fittings they would be out the door!

Would also double check as some paste is not suitable for drinking water use - Boss white being one of them!!!

De-burr the pipe, push it right home, tighten it right up and it will be fine, Ive never had issues with compression fittings and I'm no plumber

To be honest you might as well use push fit, even if you have copper pipe. If you want the copper look you can get copper 'effect' push fit fittings
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 May 2014, 09:08:45
My mates a plumber - he just wipes a dab of clear silicon sealer round the threads/olive and tightens as normal :y

Thats a bloody stupid thing to do as silicon and the acetic acid in the sealer reacts with copper!
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Stemo on 13 May 2014, 10:46:10
The whole idea of compression fittings is that you don't need to use any sealant. As long as you don't cross thread and don't under/over tighten they are fine. Capillary fittings are more fiddly, but fine with a bit of experience (and a lot cheaper). The only problem with them is that if you fill the system and find a leak, it's a bloody nuisance cause the pipes are full of water and you can't re-solder till you've drained down or isolated part of it. Push fittings....I hate them. Always managed to get a leak with them buggers.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: jonathanh on 13 May 2014, 14:09:21
back to the sink question

turn it over, it probaby has a knock out piece for the tap punch it out and you've got the hole you want ( I've fitted loads of franke fragranite sinks like that)

and agree with the previous - compression fittings - just work - no sealant or stuff like that.  I've NEVER used PTFE or Boss white.

Depends on what you are doing - if loads of plumbing, I'd use JG speedfit - just easier and faster.  But there is nothing difficult with solder ring or end feed stuff

Also I tend to get most stuff from toolstation - ten quid and they'll deliver
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 May 2014, 14:44:37
Push fit is a time bomb.....the seals age and then when you disturb it......drip....drip.....drip.....
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 18:12:02
Thanks for all the advice I've just finished. :y

(http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/maisyhoneybunny/130520143482_zpsda21ae3f.jpg) (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/maisyhoneybunny/media/130520143482_zpsda21ae3f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 18:24:15
The hole was easy to cut with that holesaw. Very good advice to use that, thanks. :y

I didn't use anything extra with the compression fittings and they were east to fit and are not leaking.

The tap was a bit fiddly to get the flexi-tails fitted as it was a cheap one off eBay, only £14

The total cost of the job was about £70.

I'm very pleased with the results.  Thanks again for all the advice. :y :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: martin42 on 13 May 2014, 18:54:49
Did you fit flexi's first?
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 May 2014, 18:56:40
That looks great, Ms. Kate. :-* :-* :-*

Well done that woman. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 18:59:36
That looks great, Ms. Kate. :-* :-* :-*

Well done that woman. :y

Thanks. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 19:02:02
Did you fit flexi's first?

Yes, they were really fiddly due to being cheap. It was hard to get the threads to bite and the flexi's to go in straight and not cross threaded.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: ronnyd on 13 May 2014, 20:13:31
Looks a posh tap for only 14quid Kate, nice job too. 8)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Rods2 on 13 May 2014, 20:46:34
Well done, you've done a grand job. :y :y :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: cleggy on 13 May 2014, 21:02:17
Well done, you've done a grand job. :y :y :y
:y

DITTO.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 13 May 2014, 21:04:02
Thanks very much. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 13 May 2014, 22:33:47
I can see Kate starting a new career as a  female plumber. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: jonathanh on 14 May 2014, 08:36:44
well done - looks a really nice job!
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 14 May 2014, 11:46:04
Thanks. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Blaster Bates on 14 May 2014, 12:47:21
Have you consderer a fire blanket for your kitchen, a very useful item for those rare circumstances that you need them.

I would recommend one just big enough to cover a double garage, very useful.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 14 May 2014, 19:00:46
Have you consderer a fire blanket for your kitchen, a very useful item for those rare circumstances that you need them.

I would recommend one just big enough to cover a double garage, very useful.

I know someone on the oof that needed one of those. :o
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 14 May 2014, 19:03:07
Looks a posh tap for only 14quid Kate, nice job too. 8)

It's this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 14 May 2014, 20:07:10
Looks a posh tap for only 14quid Kate, nice job too. 8)

It's this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

You can't go wrong at that price, Kate. :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Vamps on 14 May 2014, 21:03:35
Looks a posh tap for only 14quid Kate, nice job too. 8)

It's this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

You can't go wrong at that price, Kate. :y

Exactly! Cracking Job Kate........... :y :y
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Stemo on 14 May 2014, 21:38:18
Looks a posh tap for only 14quid Kate, nice job too. 8)

It's this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160900380963?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

You can't go wrong at that price, Kate. :y
Yes, you can. It could leak and ruin the unit and floor. Then the water could run through the walls and ruin your neighbours floor. Your neighbour would think that they had a leak and call a plumber. He would charge her a squillion quid for spending hours trying to find a leak and then declare that it was coming from inside the wall and it would have to be demolished. When he knocked a hole in the wall he would discover Kate fixing her leak and, being a dim idiot, would say "That's funny, your neighbour has got a leak as well".........you get the picture.

What can go wrong indeed....
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Stemo on 14 May 2014, 21:43:50
I didn't write 'dim idiot' but the word police saved me again. Thank you.
Title: Re: DIY Question
Post by: Kate on 14 May 2014, 22:13:47
I keep checking it and there are no leaks.